Every one of us can make a difference in the ongoing habitat
and wildlife loss by planting native plants!
March 2024
“The job of a plant is to feed something” - Doug Tallamy, Entomologist
Seems simple enough. Yet, nonnative plants cannot do that very well.
96% of terrestrial birds need insects to feed their babies. Of those insects, the most important are caterpillars. Caterpillars provide the right nutrients for the babies, and they are big! - the equivalent of 200 aphids. When you consider that one clutch of three fledglings requires 6000-9000 caterpillars, you realize how important it is for mama bird to find caterpillars to feed her babies.
Birds that can’t find caterpillars are less successful at raising babies, however, they know exactly where to find them, and they are in our native trees (See Doug Tallamy’s Keystone Plants at Homegrown National Park). Scientists have recorded Chickadees flying right past a convenient nonnative Crepe Myrtle tree and flying much farther to find the native Oak trees that harbor their all-important caterpillars. Hopefully you have a couple of native trees in your yard to make their lives a little bit easier!
Need some natives? IXIA Native Plant Society is holding a native plant sale at Native Park on Park Street Saturday April 13 from 9-2. They sell out quickly so get there early. Your birds are counting on you!
By: Lisa Williams
What's currently blooming and feeding our native pollinators?
Support Our Local Native Plant Nurseries:
1. Wacca Pilatka LLC (design and installation available)
904-859-4033
Waccapilatka.com
keepingfloridawild@gmail.com
2. Native & Uncommon Plants
904-388-9851
Goingnativejax@gmail.com
http://www.nativeanduncommonplants.com/
3. Chiappini Farm Native Nursery
352-475-5413
https://chiappinifarm.com/
4. Native Plant Consulting (design and installation available)
904-671-2880
nativeplantconsulting.com
5. Garden For Wildlife
www.GardenforWildlife.com
6. Mail Order Natives (online only)
www.mailordernatives.com
mailordernatives@gmail.com
Use code SIERRACLUB10 for $10 off for any purchase (One-time only; No expiration)
7. Bella Jardins Boutique
Order online and she delivers.
https://bellajardins.boutique/
8. Lark Native Plants
https://larknativeplants.com/index.html
9. Audubon's website Plants for Birds
https://www.audubon.org/plantsforbirds
10. Green Isle Gardens
https://www.greenislegardens.com/retail.html#/
Other Great Links
Homegrown National Park - Join Doug Tallamy’s quest to turn half of all turf grass into native plantings. Register your yard here: https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
Florida Native Plant Society - For all kinds of info on native plants including Finding Plants Based on Your Location and Needs: https://www.fnps.org/plants
IXIA Native Plant Society - For info on our local native plant society: https://ixia.fnpschapters.org/